August Project of the Month – Pueblo County Health Department Building

Pueblo County Health Department Building is our project of the Month for August. Installed in May of 2009, the Health Department Building was the catalyst for the continued use of interlocking concrete pavers in Pueblo.

The importance of responsible building has become more apparent with issues such as erosion, water quality and elevating temperatures in streams, rivers and lakes, which are a direct result of stormwater runoff from impermeable pavements. The federal government, with the assistance of the U.S. Green Building Council, has offered incentives to business and local municipalities to utilize green building techniques such as permeable pavements.

Permeable concrete paving stones have been used in Colorado for a number of years. In areas which experience large stormwater volume, permeable paving stones help control runoff, mitigate storm surge and improve water quality. While completely functional, these paving stones appeared industrial, minimizing the aesthetic appeal typically associated with concrete pavers.

In 2009, South Side Lawn & Landscape LLC installed the first Eco-Priora pavers into the parking lot for the Health Department Building for the County of Pueblo. Eco-Priora pavers are ADA compliant variations of the old permeable pavers, but with the look of a normal paver. While drainage was not an issue at the site, Pueblo opted to take advantage of the LEED Credits and wanted to control the stormwater runoff before it made its way into the stormwater system. The design of this particular pavement utilized a containment area beneath the aggregate bedding layer, storing the stormwater. The aggregate bedding layer coupled with on site storage reduced the impact on the storm sewer system, reduced the water temperature and removed many of the pollutants which would have normally passed into the watershed.

Due to the success of this project, Pueblo has installed 2 other Eco-Priora projects at the Annex Building and the Municipal Justice Center totaling more than 45000 sf of permeable pavers.

CDOT Project ES1 2854-117 is our Project of the Month for July 2010. While still a work in progress, over 20,000 of the required 66,000 sf have been installed since January with the balance scheduled for completion in late 2010/early 2011. The partially completed wall will eventually attain a height of 40’, with remaining walls nearly 60’ in height.

When the determination was made to expand Highway 285 at Shaffers Crossing, CDOT understood the existing site conditions would require massive retaining wall structures. At such a scale, aesthetics were crucial in not only the style of block but the color as well. The wall pattern and colors had to compliment the complexity of the existing rock outcrops which dot the area. Pavestone’s Anchor Diamond Pro Stone Cut System provided the multiple style stone CDOT was looking for. The 18”, 11”, 7” wide, multi piece pattern is split to provide a natural, rough-hewn texture which emulates the appearance of stone. Pavestone created multiple custom colors which are blended on site by the Bryan Miller Company, Inc. further complimenting the surrounding landscape.

Despite the aesthetic concerns, it was fully acknowledged the primary focus would be the variety of structural issues at the site. CDOT required a structurally stable, flexible and long term solution, requiring the block have a minimum compressive strength of 4500 psi.

Due to issues with other wall products, CDOT also requires wall material to have no more than 1% material loss after 150 freeze/thaw cycles, a crucial concern in the Rockies. Actual test results for the Diamond Pro show a total loss of less than .15%, with all tests easily passing the minimum requirement.

Pavestone Institute of Hardscape Technology (PIHT) recently launched 2010′s FREE educational training seminars for paver contractors and distributors, which is designed to help them grow and reinvigorate their hardscape businesses.

We had a total of (15) events scheduled in various cities this year. We’ve done (3) so far, and all have been very well attended with good feedback coming in from attendees.

Below are some quotes we received at a recent seminar held at the Wyndham Hotel in New Orleans.

Thanks Pavestone:

SteppingStone Pavers would like to thank you for a enjoyable and informative seminar. Myself, and 2 of our sales representatives attended the full day, along with at least six of our clients. No one had anything negative to say, even though they had different views as to what was the most important. Philip, one of my sales reps, really appreciated the advancement of the permeable paver industry and noted the need to more aggressively pursue that market; Preston, my other sales rep, appreciated the need to show personal interest and follow up on prior clients, as brought out in the Human SIGMA segment. A couple of our installation contractor clients mentioned the need to evaluate the true value of a client, and how much time is spent to pursue a project and whether or not the project is worth pursuing.

I enjoyed the whole experience. Not only was all the information valuable, and the speakers excellent, but the chance to network with all my associates in the paver industry was very beneficial. The content was excellent, and really helped me to regain focus on the industry, not only now, but where it is headed and how to better position myself to take advantage of those trends. In particular ,the CRM program, which will help me to determine where to put my greatest efforts and resources in an effort to create a more user friendly and profitable company. One point which was particularly useful was how to stop the “leaky bucket” mindset when it comes to customer retention. As of this morning we have already began an aggressive campaign not only to gain new clients but to reconnect with clients that have fallen off our radar screen. I look forward to working with, Eddie Newsom, our Pavestone sales rep in developing and implementing a CRM program for SteppingStone Pavers.

On a side note it was very refreshing for a distributor like myself to hear that Pavestone has a game plan which includes moving to a Distributer based system in our area.

Campus design was the focus of a recent article published in Landscape Architect Magazine last week. Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas was featured in the article to show what they are doing to create a more pedestrian friendly campus.

SMU has a beautiful campus where concrete pavers are used extensively for walkways that link facilities throughout the university. I would like to thank Chris Miller, the Landscape Architect for SMU, Joey Guedea, Architectural Sales Specialist for Pavestone, and Jerome Meister, SMU’s Project Manager, for providing me the history and details necessary to complete the article. Special thanks also goes to Concrete Paver Systems, the paving contractor that completed this beautiful project, and Gustav Schmiege for awesome photos for the article.

Bruce O’Neal, the President of Manna Worldwide and Tim Berns left for Haiti Friday morning. It will be a very short trip and we will be back in the states Sunday afternoon. The living conditions outside of Port-au-Prince are still deplorable. The purpose of this trip is to view the potential permanent site for the feeding center. This will be a soft opening, and we will begin feeding the children this weekend. The grand opening will take place once the building has been constructed in early fall of 2010. Until this time, the children will continue to receive meals twice a day, but the downside will be that the preparation and serving of the meals will continue to be outside until the permanent structure is completed.

January 12, 2010 – 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake devastates Haiti

Estimated 250,000 had been killed in the quake, 1.5 million are still without permanent shelter

1.26 million children were affected in some capacity by the earthquake

Today’s designer must overcome challenges such as: Where do we “hide” the new water-saving and energy-efficient hardware, and how do we design eco-friendly landscapes to please clients used to water-hungry foliage.

While meeting the challenges of the Green movement seems daunting at times, efficient product design and clever integration makes these challenges far more manageable.

The suburban Greenhaven residential housing project located in Chelsea Landing, East Cobb County, Georgia exemplifies such a creative use of Green technology and design. Even before it was fashionable, Richard Feis, president of Pace Homebuilders in Atlanta, Georgia recognized the importance of Green building strategies. Every home at Greenhaven carries EnergyStar and EarthCraft certifications, and incorporates the Xeriscaping landscaping method whenever possible. Xeriscaping reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water supply by capturing and distributing rainfall. Xeriscaping is promoted especially in areas without easily accessible fresh-water supplies; however, Xeriscaping is gaining popularity in other areas as well because it saves homeowners money every month, and it is Earth-friendly.

Greenhaven, the first eco-friendly neighborhood in its area, carries the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes certification and showcases the latest in green-building techniques.

Harvesting Water

Among Greenhaven’s Xeriscaping features is its rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater harvesting is an excellent strategy for reducing dependence on municipal water supply. Collecting rainwater also reduces storm-water runoff, the number-one pollutant of rivers and streams. Rainwater collected and used onsite recharges the ground-water aquifer, and eliminates energy costs associated with moving water from another location. Natural rainwater is cleaner than other water sources, further reducing the required energy expenditures for treatment.

The Greenhaven water harvesting system employs The Original Rainwater Pillow. According to the manufacturer’s website, (www.rainwaterpillow.com), the system can harvest 1,000 to 40,000 gallons of rainwater. The flexible horizontal rainwater storage system used at Greenhaven is the 3,600-gallon, 15x11x3.4-foot model. It was installed out of view under the home’s deck.

Collecting Water Through The Hardscape

The rainwater pillow itself must be fed to do its job. So how does the water get there? Enter the Eco-Venetian Stone, a tumbled permeable-paver product manufactured by The Pavestone Company. At Greenhaven, the pavers cover the 4,800 square-foot driveway, as well as 400 square feet of front walkway. The paver’s joint profile allows surface water to infiltrate into the pavement and its sub-layers. With its initial 100 inches-per-hour permeability average flow-rate, the pavers meets a majority of current storm-water management plans. It also assists in meeting current EPA storm-water regulations.The paver’s modular square and rectangular shapes, as well as its cleft surface set it apart from other permeable pavement treatments. The design achieves a fine balance between good looks and efficient water-collection capabilities.

The Road To Green Success

It is an exciting time to be a landscape architech, as these professionals operate on the forefront in transforming our world into a place that is both beautiful and Earth-friendly. As environmentally-conscious building practices becoming more popular with consumers, rainwater harvesting, along with other eco-friendly landscape technologies, are poised to become standard features. The landscape contractors who understand how to incorporate such technologies into their projects will see their business success and professional standing increase dramatically.

As temperatures are heating up, a common question we receive is how to remove tire marks. First, one has to understand why the tire marks are happening. Here are the top reasons we see for getting tire marks on a sealed surface:

1. Sealer did not cure properly due to over-application
2. Sealer applied to a non-porous or previously sealed surface
3. Moisture present when sealer applied

The first step to removing tire marks is to prevent them! Surebond recommends reading the application instructions carefully before applying Surebond hardscape sealers and only apply during the correct temperatures and to clean, dry, unsealed or porous surfaces. Sealer should always absorb in to the surface and not be allowed to puddle. Remove excess sealer from the surface with a double foam squeegee. It is important to remove excess sealer especially in high temps because the water in the sealer can flash out, meaning it evaporates and leaves behind solvents on the surface. These solvents can be sticky and when you drive across a hot sticky surface with hot rubber tires you can imagine the outcome (see above photo). A properly sealed surface is MUCH easier to clean and most times prevents the tire marks from happening at all.

Past the application stage and dealing with the removal part? Typically, the tire marks can be easily removed with just plain water and a medium bristled broom with minimal scrubbing. In some instances you might need to use a degreaser such as SB-442 General Stain Remover to help lift the tire mark. The most important factor is that the surface needs to be tack-free before it should be cleaned. Two reasons why…the first is that if it is still tacky, the tire marks will just reappear after driving on it again. The second is the tire marks will not come up easily and you will have to scrub pretty aggressively.

As the inventor of joint stabilizing sealer, SUREBOND remains an industry leader in the field of architectural landscape products with a full line of adhesives, sealers and cleaners.

Important Cleaning Tips:

1. Always Test an Area First – Choose an inconspicuous spot to test before carrying out a full cleaning.2. Act Quickly – Attacking a stain as soon as possible reduces the likelihood of it setting into the surface.3. Work Up the Slope – Starting at the bottom of a sloped pavement allows cleaning fluids to drain down.

Paint & Mortar

• Fresh paint – Blot immediately with a rag or towel; do not wipe as this may spread paint. Soak the area and scrub with hot water and a stiff brush.• Dried paint – Scrape any excess paint off of the surface. Apply a commercial paint remover and follow all instructions on the cleaner label. Do not rub the loosened paint into the surface.• Mortar – Let material harden and carefully remove spots with a trowel, putty knife or chisel.

Dirt, Mildew & Grime

• Remove any loose material from the surface. Clean with Surebond SB-442 General Stain Remover, stiff brush and wash with a garden hose.

Oil

• For fresh stains with unabsorbed oil on the surface, pour down kitty litter or saw dust to soak up the stain. Clean up after a few days.
• Older oil stains can be complicated to remove completely but boiling water can help lift the stain. Blot area with absorbent cloth and repeat as needed.

Food, Grease and Beverages

• Apply liquid dish detergent at full strength and allow it to penetrate for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse with hot water.
• For stubborn stains, use a professional cleaner like Surebond SB-442 General Stain Remover. Follow all instructions on cleaner label.
• For gum, scrape off any excess and scrub with naptha or mineral spirits. Rinse area thoroughly with hot water.

Efflorescence, Rust and Mineral Staining

• Efflorescence is whitening that occurs naturally as water evaporates out of and through building materials, bringing salts to the surface. It does not affect the structural integrity of the building materials.
• Efflorescence will naturally wear away over time and is most common in new installations.
• To remove efflorescence, as well as other mineral deposits like rust and hard water stains, use a professional cleaner like Surebond SB-488 Efflorescence & Rust Remover. Follow all instructions on cleaner label.

Stain Prevention and Pavement Maintenance

Weeds, Ants and Displaced Sand

• Bonding joint sand prevents it from being displaced from in between interlocking paving stones. Sand displacement is not only unsightly but also reduces the structural integrity of the hardscape system.
• Use a professional joint sand stabilizing sealer like Surebond SB-1300 Joint Stabilizing Sealer to bond the sand between joints. This will inhibit both ants and weed growth while preventing sand washout.
• Reapplications should be carried out every three to five years.

What Surfaces Should Be Sealed?

• Any surface that is at risk for staining can be protected with a surface seal application. This includes interlocking concrete pavers that are used in driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways and many other applications.
• Most types of poured, stamped, decorative and stained concretes can be protected, as well.
• Retaining walls and other vertical applications should be sealed, especially to prevent water penetration.

Surface Protection and Stain Resistance

• Using a professional surface sealer will protect the surface of a hardscape installation and reduce the threat of future staining.
• Salt and acid corrosion – Surebond SB-1300 Joint Stabilizing Sealer will protects the surface form salt and acid penetration.
• Water penetration and freeze/thaw damage – a professional sealer like Surebond SB-4000 Water Repelling Sealer will reduce the amount of water entering the installation. When frozen, this water can force stones out of place, and disrupt the entire installation.
• Oil, food and beverage staining – a penetrating sealer like Surebond SB-5000 Stainblocking Sealer will prevent a wide variety of stains from setting into the stone, making the stains much easier to remove.

About Surebond, Inc.

For over 25 years, Surebond, Inc. has manufactured joint stabilizers, sealers, cleaners and adhesives designed to compliment and protect the most demanding hardscape installations. Our full line of products has been trusted on projects throughout the world, including Disneyland, the US Capitol building, the Panama Canal, sports stadiums, ports, streets and thousands of homes.

May Project of the Month – Avon Town Transit Center

Avon Town Transit Center is our Project of the Month for May 2010. Completed in 2009, it consists of 14,000 SF of heavily trafficked Venetian Stone™ 8cm pavers.

The Town of Avon said the Transit Center was designed to make visits to Avon an “enjoyable and convenient experience”, whether travel is for work or recreation. The Transit Center is not only the public transit system for the Town but caters to commuters throughout the Vail Valley including Beaver Creek, Eagle, Gypsum, and Dotsero, in addition to Leadville and Minturn.

Performance requirements of the pavement system were paramount during the design phase. Avon’s Town Engineer, Jeff Schneider, had multiple expectations for the pavement he wished to utilize in the transit center. Jeff specifically required a pavement that was both “durable and incorporated an attractive surface.” With that in mind, the designer chose Pavestone’s Venetian Stone™ Heritage™ Series pavers in three sizes – 6×6”, 6×9”, and 6×12”.

A durable, high-strength wearing surface was required to address the severe loading requirements, particularly the fleet of 16 buses operated by the Town of Avon. 3 1/8” thick pavers were specified, which are often used in roadway, industrial and commercial applications. Due to the project venue, the larger scale of the Venetian Stone™ helped equalize the project scale and complemented the mountain village architecture.

Project expectations were met with the strength and durability of Pavestone quality pavers, coupled with the uniquely attractive cleft surface. Venetian Stone™ combined old world charm with proven performance.

Jeff Schneider and the Town of Avon are extremely pleased with the completed project and would not hesitate to use Pavestone products on future applications.

NEW PATIO FOR MANNA — Although the social service agency is looking to find new headquarters, volunteers have made improvements to the current location on Crescent Way.

Manna food bank in Thousand Oaks was recently upgraded with the addition of new plants and a patio seating area in the front yard, a sidewalk for access to the backyard and a new coat of paint.

The sidewalk was an Eagle Scout project by Shane Stephens of Boy Scout Troop No. 716. He recruited family members and friends to help and arranged the assistance of an experienced cement mason.

The project was successful and an asset to Conejo Valley’s food bank, according to Mike Mathews, executive director of Manna.

The patio, plants and paint were donated by Home Depot in Thousand Oaks. Employees from Home Depot, Behr Paint and Pavestone volunteered time for the project.

Preparation work was done by Villa Esperanza.

Shannon Lundberg from Home Depot spearheaded the project, and store manager Chris Pino stopped by to assist.

“This is a beautiful addition to Manna, and it shows the great support by the businesses and residents in our community,” Mathews said. “As we go into the lean summer months, we’ll continue to need donations to get through these tough economic times.”

The city of Thousand Oaks is working with Manna to find a new location in the city. The current facility is small and lacks adequate parking.

Manna may need to partner with another social service agency or look at other options. The investment will likely exceed $1 million to purchase a suitable building.

City staff and the other partners will look at grants and donations to finance the move.

In the meantime, Manna will continue to operate in its current location.

“This process may take years,” Mathews said.

For more information, call Mathews at (805) 368-6586 or e-mail mike@mannaconejo.org